When a parent loses their ability to care for themselves: what should you do first?

When a parent loses their ability to care for themselves: what should you do first?

When a parent loses their independence, there are three priority steps: assessing the level of dependency, filing an APA application with the Departmental Council, and coordinating home care providers. In France, 9.3 million people report providing regular assistance to a loved one with a disability or loss of independence, of whom 1.4 million receive APA to help them remain in their own homes (source: DREES, Studies and Results No. 1255, February 2023).

You don't have to figure everything out on your own, or all at once.

Step 1 — Assess before acting

Before taking any action, assess your loved one’s level of dependency. This will determine the financial assistance to which he or she is entitled and the services that can be accessed immediately.

The GIR Grid: What You Need to Know

GIR — Definition of GIR: Iso-Resource Group. This is the official measure of the level of dependency in France, ranging from GIR 1 (total loss of independence) to GIR 6 (complete independence). It is assessed by a medical-social team from the Departmental Council.
In France, the level of dependency is measured according to the AGGIR scale (Autonomy Gerontology Iso-Resource Groups). The APA (Personalized Autonomy Allowance) is available to individuals classified as GIR 1 through GIR 4. Those classified as GIR 5 and 6 are not eligible for the APA but may access other forms of assistance (CARSAT, municipal aid).
The official assessment is conducted by a medical-social team appointed by the Departmental Council, at the applicant’s home, free of charge, within 10 days of the submission of the complete application (source: Article L232-3 of the Social Action and Families Code, legifrance.gouv.fr).

GIR Levels and APA Caps for 2026

What you can see today

Make a note of the things your parent can no longer do on their own: getting out of bed, washing, getting dressed, preparing meals, taking medication, and going out. These observations help speed up the assessment process and guide the care plan. They are also useful when you first contact a home care service (SAD or SAAD).

Step 2 — Apply for APA right away

This is the most urgent step. The sooner the application is submitted, the sooner the aid will be paid out—and the deadlines cannot be extended.

Amounts and conditions you need to know

The monthly cap for home-based APA varies depending on the GIR (2026 figures, source: CNSA, cnsa.fr). The beneficiary’s copayment is zero for individuals with monthly incomes below €933.89. Above this threshold, it increases gradually up to 90% of the care plan for incomes exceeding €3,439.31 per month (source: CNSA).

Deadlines and Procedure

Applications must be submitted to the Departmental Council of the applicant’s place of residence—online, by mail, or in person (Cerfa form no. 16301*01). The department has two months to notify the applicant of its decision from the date of receipt of the complete application (source: Article L232-3 of the CASF).

What happens while you wait

Do not suspend initial aid while awaiting the decision.

The CARSAT (Caisse d’Assurance Retraite et de la Santé au Travail) offers assistance with returning home after hospitalization (ARDH), which can be arranged within a few days for individuals covered by the general social security system.

A telecare can be installed within 24 to 48 hours at a cost of €15 to €35 per month, depending on the provider and the region. Your Autonomia Advisor can connect you with a qualified provider in your area within a few hours, through the Oui Care network (900+ agencies) or Silver Alliance partners.

Step 3 — Coordinate home care providers

The true burden of coordination

That’s where caregivers burn out. Not during the initial steps, but in the day-to-day management that follows.

According to the Occurrence/La Mutuelle Générale Barometer (2023), working caregivers spend an average of 9.8 hours per week caring for a loved one. In the same study, 57% of working caregivers reported facing difficulties (source: francealzheimer.org).

The impact on professional life is well documented: 39% of caregivers report a negative effect on their work—adjustments to their work schedule (17%), reduced working hours (12%), or even leaving their job (10%) (source: Ipsos-Macif survey, 2020).

The number of stakeholders to coordinate

A home care situation typically involves between 4 and 6 providers: home health aides (SAD/SAAD), private nurses (IDEL), primary care physicians, physical therapists, meal delivery services, and telecare. This is the average observed by Autonomia advisors.

What you can delegate

Coordinating 4 to 6 remote service providers while juggling a full-time job is one of the main causes of caregiver burnout. This is exactly what an Autonomia Advisor takes care of.
Your Advisor—a social worker, social and family economics advisor, or nurse coordinator—conducts a 7-dimensional assessment of the situation, identifies appropriate home care solutions, prepares financial aid applications (APA, ARDH, MaPrimeAdapt’, tax credit), and connects you with service providers through the Oui Care network (900+ agencies in France), Silver Alliance (allies of healthy aging), or audited local partners. The same Advisor remains your single point of contact, from the first call through long-term follow-up.
You remain the son or daughter—not the manager.

The first steps to take

• Observe and note the activities your parent can no longer perform independently (basis of the GIR assessment)
• Submit the APA application to the Departmental Council as soon as possible (Cerfa form no. 16301*01)
• Contact CARSAT for assistance with returning home if your parent is being discharged from the hospital
• Set up a telecare system while waiting for financial assistance (processing time: 24–48 hours; cost: €15–35 per month)
• Notify the attending physician: they may arrange for home health care or hospital-based care if the patient’s condition warrants it
• Conduct a 360-degree assessment of the situation with an Autonomia Advisor